The Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Animal Control Division is responsible for the investigation of property damage, injury and nuisance caused by dogs. The Division is charged with the enforcement of laws pertaining to the licensing and control of dogs, the licensing and inspection of pet facilities and rabies control. In addition, the Division is the only law enforcement entity that investigates and makes arrests in association with complaints of animal cruelty. The Division also operates a large animal rehabilitation center which holds and rehabilitates evidence animals in on-going cruelty prosecutions. It also supports and educates the public and local or municipal animal control officials in enforcement of {Officer with recovered healthy horse} Connecticut dog law and behavior.

Dog Licensing, Dog Health and Control of Dogs

AttentionMunicipalities and Town Clerks:

New this year, the Animal Control Division has updated DOG FUND Calculation Worksheet that expedites and assists your town's calculations. Please use this new Excel Worksheet which assists you to accurately complete your report.

Division staff assist municipal animal control officers and local officials through training and counseling in dog licensing and licensing enforcement procedures

All dogs three months of age or older and must be vaccinated against rabies and rabies vaccinations must be kept current Division staff takes an active role enforcing the Connecticut Rabies Laws by investigating, documenting and reporting to the Department of Public Health positive rabies contacts with humans

No dog under 8 weeks of age may be sold or imported into the state without its dam

Dogs imported into the state that are over 3 months of age and staying more than 30 days must be accompanied by a health certificate and a current rabies vaccination certificate

Dogs imported into the state between the age of 8 weeks and 3 months and staying more than 30 days must be accompanied by a health certificate

All dogs must be under control and must not be allowed to run at large

It is illegal to transport a dog in the back of a pick-up truck unless the dog is secured in a cage, container or otherwise secured

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Property Damage, Injury and Nuisance – Dogs

Dogs are personal property and owners are responsible for damages caused by their dog

Claims of alleged damage by dogs to livestock, poultry or other animals for the purposes of reimbursement are investigated, assessed and appraised by Division staff

Quarantines of dogs associated with bites (human or dog on dog) or disease outbreak are established and enforced where required and necessary

Rabies Control

The Bureau staff works with state and local authorities in dealing with rabid and suspect rabid animals, verify rabies vaccination status for dogs and cats, and provide transportation and handling of specimens for testing. As of June 22, 2008, 6,069 cases of rabies have been confirmed throughout the state. Most of these cases involved wildlife such as raccoons and skunks, however, more than 140 cases involved domestic animals such as dogs, cats, cows and horses.

For further information regarding rabies, visit the Department of Agriculture's page which has the Rabies Manual and Department of Energy & Environmental Protections page Rabies Information.

Division staff offer technical advice regarding plans and construction of municipal-owned dog shelters and boarding kennels in order to ensure conformance with regulations and is responsible for regular inspections

Breeders of two or more litters of dogs per year must apply for a “town kennel license”

Division staff is responsible for regular inspections and for investigating complaints on town kennel licensees

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Animal Cruelty

The Animal Control Division investigates small companion and livestock animal cruelty complaints

including illegal animal fighting and animal hoarding. If sufficient evidence pursuant to Section 53-247 of the Connecticut General Statutes is gathered, Division staff prepare a request for a search warrant.

Large Animal Rehabilitation Center

The Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Inspection and Regulation - Animal Control Division, is charged (Connecticut General Statutes Sections 22-329, 22-329a) with the prevention of cruelty to and seizure of abused animals. In response to this charge, in 2002, the DOA constructed a large animal rehabilitation facility designed to hold horses or other large animals that have been seized in cases of substantiated charges of animal cruelty. For further information about this facility, visit Second Chance Large Animal Rehabilitation Facility.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERThe State of Connecticut is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities and persons with disabilities.